Growing H.O.P.E. Together: A New Chapter Begins
We lost our greenhouse — but something beautiful is ready to grow. GIVE TODAY and help us reach our $30,000 goal! This fall, when Flowerland of Wyoming closed its doors, H.O.P.E. Gardens also lost the greenhouse space that helped us grow thousands of plants each year for students, schools, and families across West Michigan. Now, […]
A Special Visit from U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten
It was a beautiful morning in the West Elementary garden as U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten and her staff visited to see firsthand the impact of H.O.P.E. Gardens programs. We were grateful to have West Elementary teachers Mitch Dahlstrom, who also serves on our H.O.P.E. Gardens team and manages this garden, and STEAM teacher Regan Koontz […]
🥗 Fall in the Garden: Learning, Harvesting, and Tasting
This fall, our school gardens were buzzing with excitement as students rolled up their sleeves and experienced the full cycle of growing food. 🌿 🌻 Learning Garden SafetyBefore stepping into the beds, students learned the basics of garden safety—how to use tools carefully, why we wear gloves, and how to respect the plants (and each […]
Sip and Savor 2025
What a wonderful evening we had in the garden for our Sip & Savor event! Guests gathered among the flowers and tomatoes to enjoy a beautiful night of community, flavor, and fun. 🍅 The heirloom tomato tasting was the star of the evening, with everyone sampling juicy bites straight from our gardens. ☕ Full Circle […]
Thursday Nights in the Garden: Growing Food, Families, and Friendships
Sun, Green, Heat, Weeds, Watering Cans, Laughter, Sweat, Radishes, Conversations, little kids, parents, Seeds, Peppers, Mint, teens, Spanish and English words all swirling together over fifteen garden beds for twenty, thirty, even forty minutes. It all then unwinds in departing footsteps, two by two, and slamming car doors as the sun slants lower and longer, […]
Planting Possibilities: New Accessible Garden Beds for All Students
When Aimee Sterk, Program Director at the Michigan Assistive Technology Program-Michigan Disability Rights Coalition, reached out asking if we had a need for handicapped-accessible raised beds, we eagerly accepted. In July, two raised beds were delivered to two of our Wyoming Public School gardens, Gladiola Elementary and West Elementary. Our students in wheelchairs will help […]
Reflecting on 2024 and Growing Together in 2025
As 2024 comes to a close, we’re proud to reflect on a year filled with growth, education, and community impact. This year, HOPE Gardens reached 2,641 students in garden and nutrition classes that inspired young minds and fostered a love for healthy living. From engaging students to hosting workshops and our successful heirloom plant sale, […]
New Fences and Expansions at Four School Gardens
Big things are happening in our school gardens! This fall, four Wyoming school gardens received brand-new fences: Godfrey Early Childhood Center, Godfrey Elementary, Gladiola Elementary, and West Elementary. These additions bring both beauty and functionality to each space, making the gardens even more welcoming and efficient. At Gladiola Elementary and West Elementary, the upgrades didn’t […]
H.O.P.E. Gardens Featured in School News Network: Cultivating Community and Learning
This year, H.O.P.E. Gardens was honored to be one of only four organizations in Michigan awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program. School News Network visited our schools to learn more about what this grant means for us. Check out their article here.
An Evening of Appreciation: Celebrating Community Under Autumn Skies
Our appreciation party for the families of our staff, board members, and volunteers unfolded on a perfect fall evening under the gazebo on the picturesque Troost family property. We kicked things off with a hearty meal of sloppy joes, cheesy potatoes, and a variety of sides. After dinner, everyone got creative, decorating and naming their […]